In order to help keep their lungs as healthy as possible, older adults should do the following:
- Don’t smoke; if you are already a smoker, try to quit.
- Engage in regular aerobic exercise that can help strengthen the lungs.
- Have a primary care physician check the lungs during annual checkups.
- Work on improving overall health, which will have a positive impact on lung health. For example, exercise four to five times a week, try to get your body mass index to under 25, move toward a plant-based diet with less red meat and get seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
It is important to always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise or diet routine.
